WWE SmackDown live results: Brock Lesnar returns at MSG
WWE returns to the “World’s Most Famous Arena” as tonight’s SmackDown takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Brock Lesnar will return to SmackDown on the show. It will be Lesnar’s first appearance since returning at SummerSlam after Roman Reigns defeated John Cena. Last week, Lesnar called Paul Heyman to let Reigns know he would be in New York to confront the champion.
Last week, Reigns defeated Finn Balor to retain the Universal title in the main event. After the match, the lights briefly turned red, and a heartbeat played, potentially teasing the return of Balor’s Demon character. Reigns defends against Balor in a rematch at Extreme Rules on Sunday, September 26.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair will meet for their Extreme Rules contract signing. Last week, Belair challenged Lynch to another match that night, but Lynch turned her down again. Later in the show, Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce announced Lynch vs. Belair for the pay-per-view.
Edge also goes one-on-one with Seth Rollins tonight, and The Usos put their SmackDown Tag Team titles on the line against The Street Profits.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They aired an emotional video package looking back at the 9/11 attacks. It included Vince McMahon’s speech from the SmackDown the day after. They opened up with a shot of the fans chanting “U.S.A.”
Pat McAfee’s back tonight on commentary with Michael Cole.
Roman Reigns-Brock Lesnar Segment
This was a great opening segment. Everyone was good in their roles, and the fans enjoyed the segment.
The fans gave Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and The Usos a huge reaction as they made their entrance. After they entered, the fans erupted in boos with a faint “Roman” chant.
Reigns pointed out that WWE runs New York City and the Bloodline runs the WWE. Therefore, Reigns runs New York City and Madison Square Garden. The fans booed loudly. Reigns demanded the fans acknowledge him. At first, the fans gave a mixed reaction but were loud. The fans then broke into a loud “Roman” chant.
Suddenly, Brock Lesnar’s music hit and got a massive pop. Lesnar jumped in the ring and went face-to-face with Reigns. The fans went crazy for the face-off between Lesnar and Reigns. The Usos stepped in the way.
Heyman grabbed the mic and told Lesnar they could go after any belt other than the Universal title. Lesnar grabbed the mic and asked Heyman why he didn’t tell Reigns he would be at SummerSlam. The fans reacted big. Heyman pleaded with Reigns, but he walked away to another big reaction from the fans.
Reigns and The Usos walked off, leaving Lesnar and Heyman in the ring. Heyman then did his old introduction for Lesnar to another big pop. Lesnar then told Heyman to accept his challenge for a title shot at Reigns. The fans broke into a loud “Suplex City” chant.
Heyman refused, so Lesnar picked him up for the F-5. Reigns ran back in and rocked Lesnar with a superman punch. He went for a second, but Lesnar caught him in the F-5. The Usos ran in and hit Lesnar with two superkicks, but he didn’t go down. He recovered and took out the Usos with a double clothesline. Reigns escaped and ran up the ramp.
In the back, Kayla Braxton tried to interview Reigns and The Usos, but they walked off. Heyman claimed he didn’t know that Lesnar was going to be at SummerSlam. He promised that Reigns would answer Lesnar when he’s ready.
King Nakamura, Rick Boogs, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio & Big E defeated Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Otis & Apollo Crews (w/Trae Young, Commander Azeez & Chad Gable) (7:23)
This was a fun ten-man tag team match. Before the match, Sami Zayn introduced Atlanta Hawks Trae Young to thunderous boos. Young being in the heels corner added incredible heat to the match.
The heels had the early advantage when Otis knocked Nakamura off the apron to the floor. He followed up with a splash in the corner. The heels isolated Nakamura on their side of the ring.
Back from the break, Nakamura rocked Zayn with a kick to the head. Rey got the hot tag and hit code red for a near fall. Everyone jumped in and started hitting a big move. Roode caught Big E with a spine buster. Rey then set up for the 619 on Roode, but Zayn tripped him. Young then interfered and choked Mysterio on the bottom rope. The fans erupted in boos when Young interfered.
The referee caught Young and sent him to the back. The fans exploded in cheers when the referee kicked out Young. Rey and Dominik then hit the double 619 on Zayn, and Big E hit the Big Ending for the win.
After the match, Kayla Braxton interviewed Big E in the ring. He held up the Money in the Bank briefcase and said tonight might be the last time they see him. He said it doesn’t matter if it’s Reigns or Bobby Lashley. He noted he could show up at Raw on Monday.
They aired a second 9/11 video with a quote from President George W. Bush. The WWE then recognized three organizations in the community.
Bianca Belair-Becky Lynch Contract Signing
This was a good segment. Lynch was a total heel and received mostly boos.
Bianca Belair came to the ring for the contract signing. Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce were in the ring, but there was no sign of Becky Lynch. Belair noted she’s excited to be in Madison Square Garden. The fans broke into a loud “EST” chant. Belair mentioned losing to Lynch in 26 seconds but promised to win the SmackDown Women’s title from Lynch at Extreme Rules.
Becky Lynch interrupted and came out wearing a flashy red fur coat and sunglasses. The fans gave Lynch a mixed reaction and broke into a faint “EST” chant. Lynch wondered what would happen if she didn’t sign the contract. Belair demanded Lynch sign the contract, and the fans broke into a “Sign it” chant. Lynch was enraged and noted the fans were chanting for her when she was away.
Lynch noted she left her baby girl at home, but the fans favor a flash in the pan over her. The fans broke into another “EST” chant. Lynch finally signed the contract and threw it at Belair. She walked off, holding the belt up to loud boos.
In the back, Shotzi and Tegan Nox approached Paul Heyman on their tank and offered him a ride. Kayla Braxton interviewed Heyman again. He noted that Reigns would watch The Uso’s retain the titles later and deal with Lesnar after.
Big E showed up and held the briefcase in Heyman’s face.
They announced WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Randy Orton this coming Monday on Raw.
Seth Rollins defeated Edge (24:29)
Rollins and Edge had a good match that got a lot of time. After the match, they did a big injury angle with Edge and had him leave the arena in an ambulance.
The fans gave Edge a huge reaction when he entered.
The fans broke into a loud “Edge” chant at the start of the match. Edge went after Rollins’ arm, but Rollins escaped. Edge got a side headlock, but Rollins escaped again and hit a dropkick to the leg. Michael Cole noted that Rollins is attacking Edge’s leg and not the neck.
Edge dropped Rollins on the middle turnbuckle and sent him shoulder-first into the ring post. Rollins dragged Edge out of the ring and threw him into the barricade. Edge fought back and went for a spear off the apron, but Rollins connected with a knee. The fans broke into a brief “Let’s Go Edge” chant.
Rollins sent Edge back to the floor and hit a suicide dive.
Back from the break, Rollins hit a springboard knee for a near fall. He slowed the pace down and worked over Edge’s arm. Edge tried to fight back, but Rollins attacked the leg.
Rollins followed up with a terrible-looking Glam Slam. Rollins decided to try the move again and hit a much better-looking Glam Slam for a near fall. Edge went for the DDT, but Rollins escaped. Rollins went for the Pedigree, but Edge escaped. Edge then hit the Pedigree for a close near fall. The fans broke into a loud “You Still Got It” chant. Edge followed up hit a cross body off the top to the floor.
Back from the break, Edge hit a full nelson slam for a two-count. Edge climbed to the top rope, but Rollins tried to cut him off. Edge fought back and knocked Rollins down.
Rollins went for the cross face, but Edge reversed. Rollins made it to the ropes to break the hold.
Edge went for the spear, but Rollins reversed into a neck breaker. Rollins attempted the stomp, but Edge hit a sit-out powerbomb for a close near fall. Edge went for a superplex, but Rollins slipped out and hit a buckle bomb.
Rollins went for the stomp again, but Edge hit the spear for a very close near fall.
Edge went for the cross face, but Rollins backed the referee into the corner. He then caught Edge with a low blow behind the referee’s back. Rollins followed up with a series of superkicks. The fans erupted in loud boos. Rollins yelled at Edge and hit the stomp for the win.
After the match, Edge didn’t move, and EMTs ran out to check on him. Back from the break, the EMTs loaded Edge in the back of the ambulance.
Rey Mysterio, Sonya Deville, and Adam Pearce checked on Edge as well. Edge mentioned Beth Phoneix as they put him in the ambulance. Rollins watched the ambulance leave the arena and was in a daze. He didn’t know how he should feel. Rollins admitted he might not feel anything at all.
In the back, Roman Reigns gave The Usos a pep talk for their upcoming match. The Usos promised to retain the titles and make the family proud. Reigns then noted he saved Heyman and wanted to know why he didn’t tell him that Brock would be at SummerSlam. Heyman didn’t have an answer.
They aired a third 9/11 video package featuring a quote from President Barack Obama.
The Street Profits defeated SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos via DQ (15:21)
The Usos and Street Profits were having a really good match until the weak finish. The fans were into the match but hated the ending. The post-match angle featured Finn Balor’s Demon confronting Roman Reigns.
Montez Ford hit a dropkick on Jimmy at the bell for a near fall. Ford knocked Jey off the apron, but Jimmy took advantage and hit a suicide dive.
Back from the break, The Street Profits were firmly in control. The Usos briefly isolated Angelo Dawkins and cut him off from his corner. Dawkins fought back and sent The Usos to the floor. Ford then hit a huge dive and wiped out the Usos.
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman made their way to the ring to thunderous boos.
Back from the break, Jey went for a Samoan Drop, but Dawkins countered with a twisting neck breaker. Ford hit a flying crossbody on Jimmy for a near fall. Ford rocked Jey with a superkick and lost his shoe in the process. Ford tossed the shoe in the air and hit a blockbuster on Jimmy for a near fall. The fans broke into a brief “One Shoe” chant.
Ford hit the blockbuster on Jimmy off of Dawkins’ shoulder for a very close near fall. Dawkins avoided Jey, but Jimmy caught him with a superkick. Ford took Jey out of the ring, and Dawkins rolled up Jimmy.
Jey caught Dawkins with another superkick. Jimmy followed up with a superkick, and Jey hit the splash for a very close two-count. The Street Profits fought back, and Ford hit the frog splash. The Street Profits had the match won when Reigns jumped in the ring for the disqualification. He locked on the guillotine on Ford.
Reigns grabbed the mic and accepted Brock Lesnar’s challenge. Reigns promised to smash Lesnar after he smashes Finn Balor.
Suddenly, the lights went out, and Finn Balor interrupted as The Demon to a huge pop. Balor jumped in the ring and went face-to-face with Reigns to end a fun SmackDown.